NDP MLA Randene Neil says funding will support crime prevention projects on the Sunshine Coast

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POWELL RIVER – New Democrat MLA Randene Neill says that people on the Sunshine Coast will benefit from projects that will advance public safety, help prevent violence, and promote healing.

“I can’t think of a more satisfying way to spend the proceeds of crime than pouring it back into our community,” said Randene Neill, MLA for Powell River- Sunshine Coast. “Projects on the Sunshine Coast that are receiving funding through this program will help individuals and youth heal and thrive.”

Three projects are receiving a total of $120,000 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community. Local projects include:

  • Deer Crossing- The Art Farm Society, xwanstut ?e te swiya – ambassadors of the land- $40,000
    • This project will improve the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of shíshálh and other Indigenous youth, aged 15-30, by connecting them back to land and culture through a land-based mentorship program.
  • qathet Community Justice Society, Victim Voice, Victim Choice- $40,000
    • This project will empower victims through restorative dialogue and victim surrogacy through training, evaluation, partnership development, and policy and procedure review.
  • Powell River Child Youth and Family Services Society, Outdoor Adventure Summer Camp- $40,000
    • This project will deliver a free summer camp for youth.

The New Democrat government is providing $9.1M in one-time grants through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program to support 166 community projects across the province. These projects are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.

$900,000 of the $9.1M will support specialized police equipment and training, $500,000 will support the Anti-Hate Community Support Fund, and $200,000 will support the response to the April 26 tragedy after the Lapu Lapu festival.

The Civil Forfeiture Office was established in 2006 with the purpose of removing the tools and proceeds of unlawful activity and redirecting them back into programs that support community safety and crime prevention initiatives.